The Ultimate Guide to Adventures of Pip

What is the Adventures of Pip?

Adventures of Pip is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed and published independently by Swedish studio Tic Toc Games. Originally released in 2015 for the Wii U, it was later ported to additional platforms including Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

At its core, Adventures of Pip centers around a lively pixel named Pip who has the unique ability to transform and absorb pixels from enemies defeated, transitioning between different resolutions. This core mechanic results in fluid shifts between 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit platforming challenges. Key elements of the game include:

• 30+ stages of dynamic pixel platforming action
• Pip’s morphing between resolutions – 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit
• Sword-wielding melee combat and epic boss battles
• Power-ups like magnets and shields to aid pixel absorption
• Vibrant retro pixel art aesthetic homaging 8/16-bit classics

With its creative pixel-shifting gameplay, Adventures of Pip breathed new life into the ubiquitous 2D platformer genre upon its release.

Adventures of Pip Story and Setting

The lighthearted world of Adventures of Pip is known as the Pixel Kingdom, reflecting the game’s pixelated art style. This kingdom has been invaded by the dastardly Skeleton Queen and her army, who have begun kidnapping citizens and harvesting their pixels.

The story follows Pip, a peasant boy of lowly 8-bit resolution. After the Princess Adeline is kidnapped, he embarks on a quest across over 30 stages to rescue her from the Skeleton Queen’s clutches. Along the way, he gains the power to absorb pixels and shift between resolutions.

Pip’s journey takes him through environments like:

• Lush Green Woods filled with worker bee foes
• Skeleton Army encampments with spear-wielding enemies
• Subterranean Crystal Caverns glittering with gems
• Cloud City in the sky rife with traps and pits
• Chaos Castle, home of the Skeleton Queen boss

Key characters include:

• Pip – The brave young pixel hero of the tale
• Princess Adeline – Kidnapped princess Pip aims to rescue
• Skeleton Queen – Primary villain seeking to rule Pixel Kingdom

The vibrant pixelated settings paired with the simple damsel-in-distress storyline are an homage to retro classics of the 8/16-bit era.

Gameplay and Mechanics in Adventures of Pip

The most unique aspect of Adventures of Pip is the ability for Pip to transform between different resolutions by absorbing pixels. This impacts both platforming and combat:

• 8-bit – Pip’s starting form, allowing wall-jumping and pixel absorption from enemies
• 16-bit – Gains a sword and shield for melee fights with skeletons
• 32-bit – Transforms Pip into a Knight with a long-range pixel beam attack

This creates engaging risk-vs-reward decisions around when to upgrade forms to overcome enemies and obstacles versus when to downgrade to access new areas.

The platforming challenges involve running, jumping, climbing ladders, and riding in mine carts across each stage. Pip must time his movements carefully to traverse perilous pits, moving platforms, spikes, and traps.

Combat arises through encounters with enemies like shield-bearing skeletons, spear-throwing army ants, and aerial bee swarms. Rambunctious boss battles also test players, like against the bomb-dropping Captain Sly or the massive Queen Bee.

Power-ups scattered in stages include:

• Magnet for pulling in faraway pixels
• Shield for blocking attacks
• Heart for extra hit points
• Hourglass to freeze time briefly

Finding optimal combinations of Pip’s forms, platforming dexterity, combat tactics, and power-ups is the key to success.

Levels and Worlds

Spanning over 30 levels across diverse worlds, the platforming challenges in Adventures of Pip gradually ramp up in difficulty by introducing new enemies, obstacles, and complex arrangements of platforms and traps.

Some of the notable worlds and stages include:

• Green Woods – Early levels with basic running, jumping, and wall-climbing
• Skeleton Army Camp – Rope bridge crossings over pits with spear skeletons
• Crystal Caverns – Shimmering underground mines with pixel crystals
• Cloud City – Floating platforms in the sky rife with pits
• Chaos Castle – Skeleton Queen’s fortress filled with lava and traps

Epic boss battles punctuate the end of each world, from the bomb-tossing Captain Sly to the fearsome Queen Bee. Players must carefully study attack patterns to overcome these colossal foes.

Critical Reception and Reviews

Upon its release, Adventures of Pip received generally positive reviews, earning a 76/100 Metacritic score based on 22 critic reviews.

Many praised the game’s creative pixel transformation mechanic and fluid blending of platforming and combat. The vibrant retro pixel art style also appealed to players’ nostalgia for 8/16-bit classics.

However, some common criticisms included:

• Core gameplay becomes repetitive after a few hours
• Relatively easy difficulty and short 3-5 hour completion time
• Story is wafer-thin and predictable

Positive Praise:

• Satisfying platforming challenges
• Homages to retro gaming hits of the past
• Charming pixel art aesthetic

Tips and Strategies for New Players

Adventures of Pip is accessible to pick up and play, but mastering Pip’s abilities and advanced techniques takes practice. Here are some tips for new players getting started:

• Absorb pixels frequently to stay upgraded in stronger forms
• Downgrade to 8-bit when you need to wall jump or access tight spaces
• Use shields to block incoming enemy projectile attacks
• Locate hidden pixels and power-ups in off-path sections
• When overwhelmed, shift to 32-bit for ranged pixel beam attacking
• Study enemy patterns and boss weaknesses before attacking
• Replay levels multiple times to improve speed and reflexes

Avoid button mashing and take time to learn each level’s layout and rhythms. With precision timing, you’ll be combating skeletons and riding mine carts with ease in no time.

Speedrunning and Competitive Scene

Boasting tight platforming challenges, Adventures of Pip has developed a niche competitive speedrunning community. Dedicated players compete to complete levels and full game runs as quickly as possible.

Some top speedrun times include:

• Any% (Full Game) – 27min 32sec by JohnnyFireSword
• 100% (All Items) – 1hr 35min by Darbian

Popular segments for speed trials include the Tower Spire and Chaos Castle for their demands of pixel-perfect maneuvers. Top runners use optimizations like pixel magnets to shave off precious seconds.

While the game’s casual appeal has waned over time, it remains respected among platformer devotees for its crisp 2D speedrunning gameplay.

Impact and Legacy

Despite its compact scope as an indie title, Adventures of Pip earned recognition for its innovative pixel transformation mechanic and helped establish Tic Toc Games as a studio to watch. It also exemplified the retro 8/16-bit revival trend prevalent among 2010s indie platformers.

The game attracted a cult following over time through word of mouth and deeply discounted sales. While not a smash mainstream hit, it endures as a hidden gem that pays faithful homage to pioneering platformers of the NES and SNES era.

For retro enthusiasts, Adventures of Pip remains a must-play entry celebrating the pixelated classics that came before and inspiring future indie titles after.

How To Download Adventures of Pip

Frequently Asked Questions

What platforms is Adventures of Pip available on?

Adventures of Pip was originally released for the Wii U in 2015. It was later ported to additional platforms including Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game can be purchased digitally through online stores like Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo eShop.

How long is Adventures of Pip to complete?

For the average player, Adventures of Pip takes around 3-5 hours to complete on a first playthrough while learning the levels and mechanics. Experienced speedrunners can finish the game in under 30 minutes. There are over 30 levels across diverse worlds and environments.

Is there a multiplayer or co-op mode?

No, Adventures of Pip is a single-player-only experience. There are no multiplayer or cooperative features in the game.

What type of gameplay does Adventures of Pip involve?

Gameplay centers around 2D side-scrolling platforming combined with Pip’s ability to transform between resolutions. This impacts platforming maneuvers and combat abilities. There is also pixel absorption, melee combat, epic boss battles, and retro pixel art visuals.

Is Adventures of Pip appropriate for young children?

Adventures of Pip has an ESRB rating of E10+ meaning suitable for ages 10 and up. The cartoon violence using swords/pixels and boss battles may be a bit intense for very young kids. But overall it’s a lighthearted, family-friendly experience.

How is Adventures of Pip different from other platformers?

The core pixel transformation mechanic that allows Pip to shift between 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit resolutions makes Adventures of Pip stand out compared to standard 2D platformers. This changes both platforming and combat in innovative ways.

Did Adventures of Pip receive good reviews?

Yes, Adventures of Pip earned generally positive reviews with a 76/100 score on Metacritic. Critics praised the creative pixel gameplay but felt the short length and easy difficulty limited its lasting appeal.

Who developed and published Adventures of Pip?

Adventures of Pip was developed and published independently by the Swedish indie studio Tic Toc Games, best known for this title. It helped establish them as a studio to watch in the indie game scene.